Helfrich's firefish
Nemateleotris helfrichi
Also known as Helfrich's Dartfish, Helfrichi Firefish, Lavender Firefish, Helfrich's Firefish Goby
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Microdesmidae
- Origin
- Native to the tropical Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands and Micronesia to French Polynesia, on deep rubble slopes usually below 25 m.
Overview
Helfrich's firefish is a small, peaceful dartfish that hovers in the middle of a reef tank. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
Deepwater collection makes Helfrich's firefish less common and more prized than the other firefish. It usually costs several times more than the common red firefish it resembles in shape.
Caring for the Helfrich's firefish
Keep Helfrich's firefish in a reef tank of at least 20 gal (75 L) with a tight lid. Firefish can jump through the smallest gap. It is fully reef safe.
Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It eats zooplankton, so feed mysis, enriched brine shrimp and pods.
Helfrich's firefish is peaceful and rather shy, and it is safe with other peaceful community fish. Keep it singly or as a bonded pair. It should not share a tank with large predatory shrimp.
Good to know
Nemateleotris helfrichi is a dartfish in the family Microdesmidae. It has a pale lavender body, a yellow face and a purple crown on the head. Like other firefish, it flicks its tall first dorsal fin up and down as a signal.
In the wild
Helfrich's firefish lives in the tropical Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands and Micronesia to French Polynesia. It hovers just above deep rubble slopes, usually below 25 m, and darts into a burrow at the first sign of danger. It picks zooplankton drifting past its shelter. It lives in pairs on the reef and shares its burrow with its mate.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Helfrich's firefish is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Yellow watchman goby
Cryptocentrus cinctus
Saltwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Ocellaris clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Percula clownfish
Amphiprion percula
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Fire shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Barber goby
Elacatinus figaro
Saltwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Helfrich's firefish need?
A Helfrich's firefish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Helfrich's firefish need?
A Helfrich's firefish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a Helfrich's firefish eat?
A Helfrich's firefish eats zooplankton. Feed it mysis, enriched brine shrimp and pods.
How big does a Helfrich's firefish get?
An adult Helfrich's firefish reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
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